It may not set you on track to be the next Usain Bolt or Paula Radcliffe, but the skills gained from a degree in sports science could certainly fire the starting gun for an interesting and rewarding career.

Your degree will have equipped you with a good knowledge of the sports and exercise industry and enabled you to look at the science behind fitness, as well as giving you an insight into related areas such as nutrition, psychology, management and finance – plenty to make you an attractive prospect to potential employers.

Demand is growing for sports scientists and performance consultants, as society in general develops a greater awareness of health and fitness issues around work. What's more, with the 2012 Olympics around the corner, your skills are likely to be further sought after by local authorities and other organisations.

Famous sports science graduates include Peter Phillips, son of the Princess Royal, who studied at Exeter, and Paralympic sprinter John McFall.

What skills have you gained?

As well as learning the impact that sport and fitness can have on participants and how to motivate people, you will have picked up knowledge in finance, management and business strategy that will prove useful in a number of industries, along with problem-solving ability, communication skills, teamwork and good time management.

What jobs can you do?

Of 2009 graduates, over 60% went straight into full-time or part-time employment, with around a third in sports-related industries. Careers in education (11.1%), the public sector (7.6%), health (2.8%) and business (2.7%) were also popular choices. The relatively low proportion immediately employed in stop-gap retail or catering work implies there is a higher than average demand for sports science graduates.

Common career options include personal trainer, fitness instructor or leisure centre manager, but you could also be a PE teacher or lecturer, or a sports therapist helping to get injured athletes back on their feet.

"The sports industry offers a wide range of career options that sports science graduates could pursue," says Margaret Holbrough, a careers adviser at Graduate Prospects. "Those most closely related to the discipline are sports coaching, sports development, personal trainer or manager of a fitness or outdoor pursuits centre."

Other career paths include being a sports administrator involved in funding and organising activities, events organiser, sports psychologist or health promotion specialist. The knowledge gained on a sports science degree can also open doors to other sectors such as hospitality or youth work. As Holbrough adds: "Some graduates may have to undertake a portfolio of work to build their career by combining several roles, either on a paid or voluntary basis."

Postgraduate study?

Over a quarter of 2009 sports science graduates undertook further study, with 6% pursuing teacher training qualifications. A further 6% also study sports-related topics to diploma, masters or PhD level in areas such as nutrition, physiotherapy or exercise to enhance their existing degree.

This opens up further options to make use of your degree, leading to jobs in areas such as sports therapy or sport and exercise psychology.